Ohio University Black alumni plan own reunion after DEI concerns canceled event
ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH) — Anti-DEI legislation stopped Ohio University from hosting its Black Alumni Reunion, but it did not stop Black alumni, who corralled community support and planned the event themselves.
With just over a month's notice, Ohio University placed the Black Alumni Reunion on hold on March 5, citing threats to university funding if it did not comply with anti-DEI orders. Alumni, community organizations and students joined forces in response to the decision, planning a Black Alumni Weekend for April 10-13, the same weekend the university-sponsored reunion had been scheduled for.
'Through a weekend of networking, mentorship, and celebration, we honor the rich legacy of Black and Brown excellence at Ohio University,' the Black Alumni Weekend website states. 'By partnering with local businesses, the city of Athens, and fellow alumni, we ensure that our traditions thrive beyond campus boundaries.'
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Ohio University paused the event after orders from the Department of Education to pause DEI services aligned with fears that Senate Bill 1, which bans DEI in higher education in Ohio, would complicate matters. In years past, the triennial event was second only to homecoming for Ohio alumni gatherings. Hundreds of Bobcats had planned to attend before they got word it was cancelled. See previous coverage of the cancellation in the video player above.
'My initial reaction was definitely feeling hurt, disappointed, upset – a combination of all three of those feelings,' Ohio University alumnae Brandi Baker said.
Baker, a two-time Ohio alumnae and former university employee in roles progressing diversity efforts, first spoke with NBC4 in March, voicing her frustration with the decision. Shortly after, Baker took that disappointment and channeled it into productivity, hosting a virtual town hall to address Ohio University's decision.
'We had over 100 alumni join the call from all over the world: people from Germany and people who live in Africa right now, and people from all over who are concerned about what has happened and what is happening with the institution and within the state of Ohio,' Baker said.
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Attendees included Athens city officials and many alumni, who overwhelmingly said they still wanted the event to happen. Baker, who had founded the Racial Equity Coalition of Appalachia several years prior, was able to use the coalition's resources to help plan the event in a matter of weeks. Organizers met daily, bringing in help from the city.
'We've had amazing local business owners who definitely were also disappointed about hearing how the university handled things, and they were very supportive,' Baker said.
Baker said donations allowed several events to be free for attendees, and the reunion has been promoted by Athens County tourism organizations. Local bars offered to host deals or events, and the Athens County Foundation offered a grant and set up a fund for donations.
The weekend began Thursday evening and continues through Sunday with more than two dozen free and ticketed events. A full schedule can be found here and features networking opportunities, a cookout, the traditional reunion Variety Show and opportunities to embrace Athens' Black history.
'People of color in Appalachia — that's not really something typical that people think about when they think about rural areas in Ohio,' Baker said. 'They don't think that it also includes people of color, but it does.'
What's in, out of the Ohio budget?
There is a prolific history of Black communities who settled in and around Athens. Alumni can tour the Tablertown People of Color Museum during the reunion, a nearby museum run by one local man who has dedicated his time to preserving Black history in the region. Several other events will take place at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, a historically Black church noted for its priceless stained glass windows that is undergoing preservation efforts.
Baker said this history combined with the legacy of Black alumni to shape the celebratory reunion. She said she expects hundreds of alumni to attend this weekend. The event even has shirts — also a partnership with a local business — including one that sums up organizers' feelings: 'you can't cancel what you didn't create.'
'I'm very thankful, and it definitely is showing diversity, equity and inclusion in action,' Baker said. 'So I really appreciate all of the support from our community and Athens, and I'm looking forward to an exciting weekend.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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